MENTOR GRIND is a grindcore / deathgrind band from Loja, Ecuador. They originally started in 2010 as BANCO DE SEMEN, later changed to the current name in 2014 with remaining members; Nixon Castillo (guitars) and Jorge Betancourt (vocals). Saul Peñaherrera (bass) and Jonathan Cueva (drums), both from NECROMATOSIS joined in to complete the lineup. – Interview by Harshziqr [20.07.2018]
Hello. What inspire you guys to form Mentor Grind? Introduce us the band lineup?
Hello Fast As Fuck Zine greetings and to all the fans this media, and tell you that Mentor Grind comes up with the idea of making fast and raw music and try to build this genre in our city. The current lineup of the band is: Jorge (voice), Nixon (guitar), Saul (bass), and Jonathan (drums).
What have you released so far? Please explain futher about your latest recordings?
So far we have two works: “Tabú” / “Taboo” (2013) and “La Maldad” / “The Evil” (2016). We also participate in a split “5 Ways To The Gore” (along with: Splattered Cadavers, DxHxAx, Pussy Vaginosis, and Tear Anal) and with the collector theme we were taken into account in compiled V of the “Metal megazine Unknown Pages-publication #11”. We released a video clip of the theme the badness of the “Taboo” album: youtu.be/TD7KPeBo1AY. Lately we recorded the promotional of our new album 2019 “Matrix” video clip: youtu.be/9gOPBwje7mQ. With the same we were part of the compilation “The Sound of X (3) – International Grindcore Compilation 2018” of Portugal and the compiled Argentine Extreme Nations vol.1 with bands from 19 countries of Latin America. We are currently finishing composing the songs for the third album of the band planned for the beginning of 2019.
Please describe more about the music you played, and also the influences?
Like most bands we try to have our own sound, and the influences to mention some I can mention Terrorizer, Anal Cunt, Napalm Death (two first albums), Inhumate, national bands like Chancro Duro and Inphectus.
How do you tracks/songs get written? Did it take a lot of time to finish writing a song?
The composition varies the time, some topics have taken a month approximately and others have arisen in a matter of a few days.
What are you talking about through your lyrics?
In our lyrics we have handled some themes such as gore, taboos and social criticism and some experiences and personal anecdotes.
Do you play gigs oftenly? How does the grind scene look like in Ecuador?
We have an average of 4 concerts per year so we try to leave everything on stage, that our presentation is as brutal as possible and best of all enjoy it indistinctly from the audience’s response. The grind scene is not as you would like but I think little by little it is growing and that motivates us more to continue working and continue to contribute something to the scene.
What’s your dream for Mentor Grind?
We are happy with what we achieved and we enjoyed the small concerts very much, and we look forward to participating in festivals in other countries of Latin America and Europe and we know that we must continue working day by day.
Thanks for your time. Last words?
Thank you for the interview and congratulate you for your work and support for the bands you make through this zine, and if anyone is interested in our proposal do not hesitate to follow us on our page, and social networks that we will soon return with our third album, no more greetings to everyone from Loja Ecuador.
